Single pipe radiator

Czakky82

Howdy, I’ve got an old Moline two pipe system that has a retrofit single pipe radiator added on at some point. Once I got my system running correctly (Thanks to Dan’s book!) the retrofit single pipe rad water hammers horribly and has been valved off ever since. It has a new working vent, etc.

Is there anyway to get this rad working on this system? Bigger vent?

Thanks

Bill

Long Beach Ed

You have to consider how the condensate is being handled from the single pipe radiator. Usually a water loop or a trap could be used. You can't just dump the condensate back in the steam line as it is properly not sized for that.

Send a diagram of how this radiator was added. And… at what pressure is the boiler operating?

Czakky82

I’ll work on a diagram. As far as pressure goes. I have a large 0-15psi gauge on the header. It never registers pressure. The other radiators heat up quite fast, no complaints there.

Jamie Hall

What @Long Beach Ed said. Also check the pitch of all the piping from the main to the radiator.

Intplm.

@Czakky82 While your doing your homework. Why not post some pictures of the rad and piping to get a better look?

Czakky82

supply line (obviously)

Czakky82

radiator

Czakky82

from the tee it runs about 7 linear feet and only about 12inches vertical.

Unfortunately the supply is at best level for those 7 feet from the tee.

delcrossv

Need some pitch. The takeoff from the end of the main pretty much guarantees water in the lateral.

Is that main counterflow? If not, it needs to go to a drip or crossover trap- not a supply line.

If you're feeling frisky, repipe it as 2 pipe like the rest of the system. 😉

Czakky82

@delcrossv, I was hoping there was some long lost ancient steam secret that would unlock my hopes.😂

delcrossv

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1845863#Comment_1845863

Sorry, but the only way to fix something this bodged is to unbodge it. 😉

Steamhead

What size pipe is feeding that radiator?

EBEBRATT-Ed

You can hook it up 2 pipe. Just drop the return from the rad down in the basement and make a water seal come back up into the main. The drop to the water sealhas to be the right length in relation to the steam pressure. No trap needed.

Long Beach Ed

"unbodge"

RTW

bodge[bäj]verb

1. make or repair (something) badly or clumsily:"they were left in a half-finished house renovation when the company bodged improvement works" · "the door was bodged together from old planks"

Had to look this term up, but "unbodge" is clearly on point and should be part of the lexicon

Regards,

RTW